The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-06-18

that would keep binding her eyes as she saw him in the place he used to oc- cupy in the old, happy days, before the demon alcohol had a footing in their pleasant home.
 AS these thoughts fitted through her mind, she stepped into closet near by and took from a shelf an old fashioned workbasket, and quietly drawing chair near her husbands side, proceeded to pull from among a tangled mass of colored balls mitten, nearly completed. Without speaking, she carefully wound the tangled yarn and then began knitting, humming softly to herself as though there had been but a day, instead of months, since she and John had sat thus to- gether.
 For long time time John needed not the familiar sound, but sat with & far-away look in his eyes, By and by the steady click, click of the needle and the monotonous hum of his wife's voice seemed to bring him back to his present surroundings, and lifting his head he looked into the face of his wife, while smile so sad it was pitt ful to be behold crept over his face.
 "Mary Jane," said he suddenly, speaking in husky tones, "I'm goin' to do what you have been wantin' me to for so many years. Pm goin' to sign the pledge"
 "Oh, John!" And there was a quiver in the voice and questioning look in the eyes.
 "Yes. Pve done powerful sight of thinkin' in the past few weeks, I can't find any place where Pve been so happy as here in the little sittin' room with you by my side, and I know strong drink won't let me stay here. But, oh, Mary Jane, it's terrible, this appetite, when it once gifts hold of man, and l knowed that just signin' the pledge wouldn't save me; some- thin stronger than mans help was needed. So l tossed and groaned in despair. Who could save me? such a weak, broken-down wretch as I. One night l thought it was all up with me, for if l could have got out of bed I should have gone straight for drink. l thought 1 would sell my soul to the devil for drink.
 But -and-by I fell asleep and I was little boy again. I felt mothers hand on my head, and the dear, kind voice sounded in my ears; she was sayin' as she used to, in her pleasant way, 'Ah, Johnnie, it ain't always easy to do right; you will find it hard many, many times, my boy, but re- member, God is on the side of right; ask Him, my son, ask him.
 "Then I walked up. Oh! such a longing to be little boy again swept over my soul, but above everything, day and night, was that voice, and it said, ask Him, my son, ask Him. And did ask Him; Mary Jane asked Him with all the longin's of lost and helpless soul, and He will help me, I feel it here," placing his hand upon his heart.
 "When I go out from here to meet temptations it will be in His strength, not mine, it'll be that strength which will keep me-"
 Tears were rolling down Miss Ly- on's cheeks. Rising hastsly she laid both hands upon Johns as they laid clasped together in his lap, and in a choking voice she said: "We'll ask him to help us both, John. I need His help as well as you. have felt it so hard to do right sometimes" then she pressed her lips upon the pale, wrinkled face, and slipped out of the room.
 Five years have passed, and to-day John Lyon, hale, hearty man, walks the streets erect and proud in the con- sciousness of one who, although he may have fallen, has been able to rise again, and the remembrance of his own degradation serves to make him more pitiful toward the erring, and his help ing hand ever ready to assist those who are in need, and his voice is ever lifted against the evils of intemperance.
 But to this day John Lyon can never think of "hot slaw" without a strange feeling in his stomach, and look of unutterable disgust passes over his face at the sight of a pair of very long and very wide apron strings Ydnkee Blade.
 An Old Mans Faith